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Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) Syllabus

The Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) syllabus for Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence in full: 5 chapters, 20 topics and 40 sub-topics, every one listed below, plus 50 Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) flashcards with answers.

5Chapters

20Topics

40Sub-topics

50Flashcards

Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) syllabus: all 5 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

The Private Security Industry and SIA Regulation
4 topics
- Purpose and structure of the private security industry
  - Sectors covered: door supervision, security guarding, CCTV, close protection, cash and valuables in transit, key holding
  - Difference between front-line and non-front-line roles
  - Role of the security operative in protecting people, property and premises
- The Security Industry Authority (SIA)
  - SIA establishment under the Private Security Industry Act 2001
  - Statutory functions: licensing and the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS)
  - Licensable activities and the legal requirement to hold a licence
- Licence types, conditions and offences
  - Front-line and non-front-line licences and their validity period
  - Displaying the licence and SIA standards of behaviour
  - Offences of working unlicensed and engaging unlicensed staff
  - Reporting changes and notifiable conditions to the SIA
- Professional standards and the SIA code of conduct
The Law for Security Operatives
4 topics
- Civil law versus criminal law
  - Standard and burden of proof in each
  - Tort, negligence and duty of care
- Key criminal offences relevant to the role
  - Theft, robbery, burglary and criminal damage
  - Assault, battery, ABH and GBH
  - Public order offences
- Powers, reasonable force and use of the law
  - Citizen's (any person) power of arrest under section 24A PACE
  - Reasonable force under section 3 Criminal Law Act 1967 and section 76 Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008
  - Self-defence and defence of others and property
- Equality, human rights and discrimination law
  - Equality Act 2010 and protected characteristics
  - Human Rights Act 1998 in the security context
Health, Safety and Welfare
4 topics
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
  - Duties of employers and employees
  - Role of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Risk assessment and dynamic risk assessment
  - Five steps to risk assessment
  - Identifying hazards in security environments
- Common workplace hazards and safe working
  - Slips, trips, falls and manual handling
  - Working alone (lone working) and personal safety
  - Electrical, fire and substance hazards (COSHH awareness)
- Reporting incidents and accidents (RIDDOR)
Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures
4 topics
- The fire triangle and how fire spreads
  - Fuel, heat and oxygen
  - Methods of heat transfer and extinguishing fire
- Fire prevention and detection
  - Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
  - Detection systems and means of escape
- Fire-fighting equipment and classes of fire
  - Classes A to F and electrical fires
  - Correct extinguisher selection
- Evacuation procedures and assembly points
Emergencies, First Aid Awareness and Terror Threat
4 topics
- Responding to emergencies and incident priorities
- First aid awareness for security operatives
  - Primary survey (DR ABC) and recovery position awareness
  - Recognising medical emergencies
- Bomb threats, suspect packages and explosives
  - HOT principle (Hidden, Obviously suspicious, Typical)
  - Cordons and evacuation versus invacuation
- Counter-terrorism awareness
  - Recognising hostile reconnaissance
  - ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) and reporting via the anti-terrorist hotline
  - Run, Hide, Tell and marauding terrorist attack response

Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) flashcards — 50 questions with answers

What is the primary purpose of the private security industry in the UK?
To protect people, property and premises by deterring, detecting and reporting unlawful or unsafe activity, complementing (not replacing) the police, and to safeguard the public and maintain a safe environment.
Name the main sectors that make up the private security industry.
Manned guarding (security guarding, door supervision, CCTV public space surveillance, close protection, cash and valuables in transit), key holding, and vehicle immobilising. Some sectors are licensable, others are not.
What does 'the role of the police' versus 'the role of a security operative' mean in terms of authority?
The police have legal powers of arrest, detention and investigation as warranted officers. A security operative is a private citizen with no special legal powers and acts mainly to deter, observe and report, only using citizen's rights such as a citizen's arrest.
What is the Security Industry Authority (SIA)?
The SIA is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK. It is an independent, arm's-length body of the Home Office, set up under the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
What are the two main duties/functions of the SIA?
1) Compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities. 2) Managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) for security businesses.
Under which Act was the SIA established and the licensing regime created?
The Private Security Industry Act 2001.
What is the difference between a front line licence and a non-front line licence?
A front line licence is required to carry out licensable activity directly (and is a credit-card-sized card worn while working). A non-front line licence is for managers, supervisors, directors or those who can influence licensable activity but do not carry it out, and is issued as a letter.
List the standard licence conditions a security operative must comply with.
Display/produce the licence on request, inform the SIA of changes to circumstances (e.g. address, name, convictions), not misuse the licence, return/surrender it if required, and continue to meet the licensing criteria throughout the licence period.
How long is an SIA licence normally valid, and what are the key criteria to obtain one?
Normally valid for three years (one year for certain sectors). Criteria: be 18 or over, pass an identity and criminal record check, and hold an approved/relevant qualification for the sector.
Give two examples of offences relating to SIA licensing.
Working without a licence when one is required, and supplying/using unlicensed staff for licensable activity. Other offences include using a fraudulent licence and failing to display a licence.
What are 'professional standards' for a security operative?
Behaving with honesty, integrity, courtesy and impartiality; being reliable and punctual; maintaining confidentiality; respecting human rights and the public; and following lawful instructions and the SIA standards of behaviour (code of conduct).
What does the SIA code of conduct (standards of behaviour) expect regarding the use of force?
That force is only ever used as a last resort, must be reasonable, proportionate and necessary in the circumstances, and the minimum required to achieve a lawful objective.
Why is confidentiality important for a security operative, and which law underpins it?
To protect personal data and an organisation's sensitive information. It is underpinned by the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, which require lawful, fair and secure handling of personal data.
Define civil law and give its main purpose.
Civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organisations (e.g. contracts, negligence, trespass). Its purpose is to resolve disputes and provide a remedy (usually compensation/damages) to the wronged party, not to punish.
Define criminal law and give its main purpose.
Criminal law deals with offences against the state/society (e.g. theft, assault). Its purpose is to punish the offender and protect the public, with penalties such as fines or imprisonment.
Compare the standard (burden) of proof in criminal law versus civil law.
Criminal law requires proof 'beyond reasonable doubt' (a higher standard). Civil law requires proof 'on the balance of probabilities' (more likely than not).
In a criminal case, who brings the case and who must prove it?
The case is brought by the state (e.g. the Crown Prosecution Service / Crown) against the defendant, and the prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
What are the two elements that usually must be present for a criminal offence?
Actus reus (the guilty act) and mens rea (the guilty mind/intent). Both generally must be present for a person to be criminally liable.
Define theft as it relates to a security role.
Theft (Theft Act 1968) is the dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.
Distinguish between common assault and battery.
Assault is causing someone to fear immediate unlawful force (no contact needed). Battery is the actual application of unlawful force/contact to another person.

Show the other 30 Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) flashcards

What is the difference between robbery and burglary?
Robbery is theft using force or the threat of force on a person. Burglary is entering a building (or part of it) as a trespasser with intent to steal, inflict grievous bodily harm or cause criminal damage.
What is 'breach of the peace'?
A breach of the peace occurs when harm is actually done, or is likely to be done, to a person or (in their presence) to their property, or a person fears such harm through assault, affray, riot or other disturbance. Any citizen may act to prevent it.
What legal power allows a security operative to arrest, and what is its common name?
Section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), commonly called a 'citizen's arrest' or 'any person arrest', allowing arrest for an indictable offence in specific circumstances.
Under PACE s.24A, what conditions must be met for a citizen's arrest?
An indictable offence must be being committed or have been committed, the person must have reasonable grounds to suspect the individual, it must be impractical for a constable to make the arrest, and the arrest must be necessary (e.g. to prevent injury, loss, escape).
What does 'reasonable force' mean and which laws govern it?
Force that is proportionate, necessary and the minimum required in the circumstances as the person honestly believed them to be. Governed by s.3 Criminal Law Act 1967 (preventing crime), s.117 PACE 1984, and common law self-defence.
State the three tests that force should satisfy to be lawful.
It must be reasonable, proportionate (to the threat) and necessary (no other reasonable option). It should also cease as soon as the threat ends.
What is the purpose of the Equality Act 2010?
To protect people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation, and to promote equality of opportunity, by consolidating previous anti-discrimination laws into a single Act.
List the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Define direct and indirect discrimination.
Direct discrimination is treating someone less favourably because of a protected characteristic. Indirect discrimination is applying a provision, criterion or practice that disadvantages people with a protected characteristic without objective justification.
What is the Human Rights Act 1998 and name two relevant rights for security work.
It brings the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. Relevant rights include the right to liberty and security (Article 5) and the right to respect for private and family life (Article 8); also the right to a fair trial (Article 6).
What is the main aim of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA)?
To ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees and others (e.g. visitors, the public) affected by work activities. It is the primary piece of UK health and safety legislation.
Under HASAWA 1974, what are the employer's and employee's main duties?
Employers must provide a safe workplace, safe systems of work, training, information, supervision and equipment. Employees must take reasonable care of their own and others' safety, co-operate with the employer, and not interfere with safety provisions.
What is a risk assessment, and name its five recognised steps.
A careful examination of what could cause harm so precautions can be taken. HSE five steps: 1) Identify the hazards; 2) Decide who might be harmed and how; 3) Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions; 4) Record findings and implement them; 5) Review and update the assessment.
Define 'hazard' and 'risk'.
A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm. Risk is the likelihood that the hazard will cause harm, combined with the severity of that harm. Conceptually $Risk = Likelihood \times Severity$.
What is a dynamic risk assessment (DRA)?
A continuous, on-the-spot assessment of risk carried out by an operative in a rapidly changing or unfolding situation, allowing them to make quick decisions to stay safe while the formal/written risk assessment is the planned baseline.
List the hierarchy of control measures used to reduce risk, from most to least preferred.
Eliminate, Substitute, Engineering controls (isolate/guard), Administrative controls (procedures/training/signage), and finally Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as a last resort.
Give four common workplace hazards a security operative may encounter.
Slips, trips and falls; manual handling injuries; electrical hazards; fire; hazardous substances; working at height; and aggression/violence from members of the public.
What does RIDDOR stand for and what does it require?
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It requires responsible persons to report certain work-related deaths, specified/major injuries, over-7-day absences, occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences to the HSE.
Under RIDDOR, what is the timescale for reporting an 'over-seven-day' injury?
It must be reported within 15 days of the incident (the injury is one causing more than 7 consecutive days' incapacity for normal work, not counting the day of the accident).
What three elements make up the fire triangle?
Heat (ignition source), Fuel (combustible material) and Oxygen. All three must be present for a fire to start and continue; removing any one extinguishes the fire.
What are the four main methods by which heat (and fire) spreads?
Conduction, Convection, Radiation, and Direct burning (direct contact). These describe how a fire transfers heat to other materials and grows.
Name the classes of fire (UK classification A to F).
Class A: solids (wood, paper, textiles). Class B: flammable liquids. Class C: flammable gases. Class D: metals. Class F: cooking oils and fats. (Electrical fires are shown by a spark symbol, not lettered.)
Match fire extinguisher colour codes to their contents (UK).
Water = red label; Foam = cream; Dry powder = blue; CO2 = black; Wet chemical = yellow. All extinguisher bodies are red with a coloured band/label indicating type.
Which extinguishers are suitable for electrical fires, and which must never be used?
CO2 (black) and dry powder (blue) are suitable for electrical fires. Water (red) and foam (cream) must never be used on live electrical equipment because of the risk of electric shock.
What does the fire safety acronym for raising the alarm 'RACE' stand for?
R - Rescue/Remove anyone in immediate danger; A - Alert/Activate the alarm; C - Confine/Contain the fire (close doors); E - Evacuate/Extinguish (only if safe and trained).
What is the purpose of an assembly point during evacuation?
A pre-designated safe location, well away from the building, where evacuees gather so that a roll call/headcount can be taken to account for everyone and inform the emergency services who may still be inside.
What is the correct general procedure on discovering a fire?
Raise the alarm immediately, call the fire service (999), evacuate via the nearest safe route without using lifts, close doors behind you to slow spread, go to the assembly point, and report to the fire warden/incident controller. Only tackle the fire if trained and safe to do so.
When prioritising during any emergency, what is the standard order of priorities?
Protect life first (yourself, colleagues, the public), then prevent injury, then protect property and the environment, and finally preserve evidence/scene. People always come before property.
In first aid, what does the primary survey acronym 'DRABC' stand for?
Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation - the order in which a first aider checks a casualty to identify and treat life-threatening conditions.
What information should be recorded/passed on when receiving a telephone bomb threat, and what is the key acronym?
Keep the caller talking and note exact wording, time, location of device, time of detonation, caller's voice/accent and background noise. The 'HOT' principle (Hidden, Obviously suspicious, Typical/not Typical) helps assess a suspect package; for response remember the 4 Cs: Confirm, Clear, Cordon, Control.

Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) FAQ

What is in the Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) syllabus?

Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) is split into 5 chapters: The Private Security Industry and SIA Regulation, The Law for Security Operatives, Health, Safety and Welfare, Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures and Emergencies, First Aid Awareness and Terror Threat. Together they contain 20 topics and 40 sub-topics.

How many chapters are in Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core)?

5 chapters, containing 20 topics and 40 sub-topics. The largest chapter is The Private Security Industry and SIA Regulation, with 4 topics.

Are there flashcards for Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core)?

Yes — a 50-card Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.